TV Chef Art Ginsburg, Mr. Food, dies at 81

Art Ginsburg, the delightfully dorky television chef known as Mr. Food, has died at his home in Weston, Fla. Ginsburg, who was 81, enticed viewers for decades with a can-do focus on easy weeknight cooking and the tagline “Ooh! It’s so good!” He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just over a year ago and died Wednesday. The cancer had gone into remission following early treatments and surgery, but returned earlier this month. Ginsburg had an unlikely formula for success in this era of reality cooking shows, flashy chefs and artisanal foods. With a pleasantly goofy, grandfatherly manner and a willingness to embrace processed foods, Ginsburg endeared himself to millions of home cooks via 90-second segments syndicated to 125 local television stations around the country.

Many Coachella Valley residents may recall the opportunity to meet Mr. Food as he would make frequent trips to area. Most notably appearing at the Date Festival in Indio in years past.